Venables Bell Wins Skyy Vodka

Succeeds longtime incumbent Lambesis

The brand has awarded its creative businenss to Venables Bell & Partners after a review, the agency confirmed. Skyy's media spending is expected to rise next year to an estimated $30 million.

Sources previously identified the other finalists as Mekanism and Mistress. The consultancy R3:JLB managed the search.

Skyy is marketed by Campari America, whose portfolio also includes Wild Turkey bourbon and liqueurs like Ouzo, Midori and Campari.

"Just like VB&P, Skyy was born in San Francisco," said Will McGinness, the shop's executive creative director. "We're thrilled to be working with such an iconic brand that shares the same entrepreneurial and progressive spirit as this agency and city."

Lambesis, a La Jolla, Calif.-based agency, had led creative efforts on the vodka since its 1998 launch and, as the brand has grown, so has the scope of those efforts. Last year, for example, Skyy added TV ads to the mix.